AFC East

Perhaps the New York Jets will replace their 41-year-old quarterback with a 36-year-old alternative this offseason.

As ESPN's Rich Cimini noted on Sunday, "As the Minnesota Vikings' general manager, [new Jets' senior football adviser Rick Spielman] signed Cousins to a huge free agent deal in 2018. Cousins, who enjoyed his most productive years in Minnesota, is likely to be cut or traded by the Atlanta Falcons in the coming weeks. If the Jets move on from Rodgers, Cousins could be a short-term option."

That may not be the most exciting bit of news for New York fans, especially after Cousins threw for nine interceptions in a five-game stretch last season, resulting in four losses that played a major role in the Falcons missing the playoffs. Cousins, who was subsequently benched after that stretch, has since said he was playing through shoulder and elbow injuries, though it will provide Atlanta fans with little consolation.

Michael Penix Jr. is now the future of the position for the Falcons, with Cousins a candidate to either be cut or traded. The former feels more likely, given Cousins' prohibitive contract and his no-trade clause.

Either way, the two sides have reportedly gone radio silent, with Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting Sunday that, "Sources say there has been no communication between the two sides since the season ended, and really, there is nothing to discuss."

The Jets could still choose to retain Rodgers, of course. But if they don't, or he retires, Cousins could be a potential short-term option for the team at quarterback.

Pelissero and Rapoport noted that there "have been in discussions about his future and a decision on whether the four-time NFL MVP returns to New York could come as soon as this week, per sources."

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick's girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, took a playful shot at the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.

Hudson wore a shirt featuring the Falcons incorrectly listed as Super Bowl champions, poking fun at Atlanta's Super Bowl 51 loss to Belichick's New England Patriots in which the team blew a 28-3 lead in the second half (via TMZ Sports).

🚨🚨CRAZY TROLL JOB🚨🚨

Bill Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, trolled the #Falcons wearing a Super Bowl LI Champs shirt in NOLA today.

These shirts were never available because Atlanta collapsed.

ATL refused to hire Belichick last off-season

💀💀💀

(📸:TMZ) pic.twitter.com/mYts7JvkU0

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 9, 2025

Belichick and Hudson ran into NFL commissioner Roger Goodell while she was wearing the shirt, per TMZ Sports.

The Patriots' improbable victory over the Falcons still represents the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, resulting in the legendary head coach winning his fifth Lombardi Trophy in New England and seventh championship overall.

On this day back in 2017, the @Patriots completed an astonishing Super Bowl comeback over the Falcons 😮

📺: #SBLVII -- Sunday, Feb. 12 at 6:30pm ET on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+pic.twitter.com/VDRQ7XPEr5

— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2023

After Belichick and New England parted ways at the end of the 2023 season, he interviewed multiple times for the Falcons' head coaching vacancy.

He ultimately wasn't hired, with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reporting that he didn't view Atlanta as a "true contender."

Belichick signed a five-year contract worth $10 million annually to become the next head coach at North Carolina on Dec. 11.

As the 72-year-old prepares for his first season coaching the Tar Heels, his girlfriend gave Falcons fans a reminder of their team's heartbreaking Super Bowl loss on Saturday.

It looks like New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams has the West Coast on his mind.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Adams is "intrigued" by returning to play on the West Coast and that he would be "open" to team's like the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Fowler also noted the San Francisco 49ers as a possible suitor.

"The Jets must address the future of receiver Davante Adams, whose $38.3 million cap hit is untenable," Fowler wrote. "A source told me Adams is intrigued by a return to the West Coast and would be open to potentially joining teams such as the Rams or Chargers -- if he gets released. I would put the 49ers in the conversation, too. Adams grew up in Northern California."

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This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

It is a new era for the New York Jets, and it remains to be seen whether it will include Davante Adams.

"My understanding is the Jets have not been in contact with Davante Adams since the new general manager, Darren Mougey, and since the new head coach, Aaron Glenn, came in and took over," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.

From Super Bowl Live with @MikeGarafolo: Discussing the #Jets looming decision for Davante Adams, the health of #Eagles DL Jalen Carter, and what Joe Burrow’s comments meant… pic.twitter.com/ZgOHdtRyZH

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2025

New York acquired Adams via trade from the Las Vegas Raiders last season with the hope it would inspire a turnaround down the stretch, but it did no such thing. Now it is facing a decision with a 32-year-old receiver who is set to make $35.6 million in base salary during the 2025 campaign with his current contract.

"They are not going to carry a $36-million cap number for a 30-something receiver," Rapoport said. He explained that the Jets could "massage the cap number" by automatically converting it or simply move on from Adams.

The Aaron Rodgers factor is another part of these discussions, as it remains to be seen whether the 41-year-old is part of the team's future plans.

Rodgers and Adams are friends who also played together on the Green Bay Packers, and the latter might not even be interested in returning to New York if the future Hall of Fame signal-caller isn't there as well.

Adams is still effective and posted 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games during the 2024 campaign. However, the Jets have a number of holes to address on the roster after their ninth consecutive losing season, and having that much money tied up in a veteran pass-catcher is not a wise use of limited resources.

It would be anything but surprising if they move on this offseason, and the report there hasn't been any contact indicates that might be the plan.

Tyreek Hill generated plenty of headlines after the Miami Dolphins' 2024 season ended when he suggested his time with the team was done, but he took a far different approach Friday.

He even apologized to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for those past comments.

"Tua, he's my guy," Hill said during a discussion with Kay Adams. "Always will be my guy no matter what. I'm sure he understands my frustration, we all want to win. Tua, he's another competitor. He's a hell of a competitor. A lot of people don't know that. He's a winner, he's consistent. So, I'm looking forward to us continuing to build our relationship. … And this is my public apology to you, Tua."

Tyreek Hill on his current relationship with Tua...

"This is my public apology to you Tua, I love you bro."@heykayadams @cheetah @Tua @MiamiDolphins | #GoFins pic.twitter.com/GpazT0B7CR

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) February 7, 2025

Hill later doubled down on his apology, telling Pro Football Talk he's taking "full accountability" for his remarks:

Tyreek Hill on @ProFootballTalk: “I’m taking full accountability for what I said. I’m gonna come back next year. I wanna stay with the Dolphins.”

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) February 7, 2025

This comes after Hill told reporters (2:25 mark) last month, "I'm out. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I gotta do what's best for my career, because I'm too much of a competitor to be just out there."

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill basically said he wanted out of the Dolphins organization after the game. pic.twitter.com/gIiMv7Edaf

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) January 6, 2025

While it seemed at the time that Hill may be done with the Dolphins, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters the wide receiver accepted accountability when they met for one hour. What's more, general manager Chris Grier said Hill never requested a trade when they met.

The eight-time Pro Bowler also addressed his previous comments last month while streaming a video game, per ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.

"What y'all had heard at the end of the season was frustration," he said. "I've been winning my whole life, bruh. Y'all don't understand, I bust my ass every day -- I deserve to feel like that, I deserve to have some kind of opinion. Y'all just want me to say, 'Oh well, get 'em next year?' Nah, f--k that. We've got to come back, we got to put some pressure on motherf--kers. Y'all got to fix this s--t, come on. Add some motherf--kin' dogs in this b---h. I compete, I love to compete, bruh."

At this point, it seems like Hill is staying put.

That would make sense, as he is under contract through the 2026 campaign and still a top playmaker for a Dolphins team looking to bounce back after what was a frustrating season.

Miami went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after reaching the past two postseasons. Tagovailoa was limited to 11 games with injuries, and Hill failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark with 959 receiving yards.

It was a far cry from when he led the league with 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches during the 2023 campaign.

Tagovailoa was able to stay healthy and appeared in all 17 games during that 2023 season, which is one reason Hill put up those numbers. And it appears their relationship is still intact given the receiver's latest apology and comments, and they will have the chance to bounce back in 2025 and beyond.

Josh Allen was selected as the 2024-25 MVP on Thursday night, earning the honor for the first time in his career.

JOSH ALLEN WINS MVP 🏆

UNREAL season for QB1 🐐 pic.twitter.com/qW3gx5YCoc

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 7, 2025

Allen also became the first quarterback in Buffalo Bills history to win the award.

A moment that MVP Josh Allen will cherish for the rest of his life 🏆 @Invisalign

📺: #NFLHonors on FOX & NFLN
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/GaafXND5pV

— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2025

He received 383 votes, including 27 first-place votes. He narrowly beat out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who earned 362 total votes and 23 first-place votes.

AP NFL Most Valuable Player voting:

Josh Allen: 27-22-1-0-0: 383
Lamar Jackson: 23-26-0-1-0: 362
Saquon Barkley: 0-1-25-19-2: 120
Joe Burrow: 0-1-15-10-12: 82
Jared Goff: 0-0-6-5-19: 47
Patrick Mahomes: 0-0-3-8-6: 31
Ja'Marr…

— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) February 7, 2025

It represented the closest MVP finish since 2016, via the Associated Press.

While fans, pundits and players alike recognized the close finish between Allen and Jackson, they also complimented the Bills signal-caller for the victory.

Congrats to NFL MVP Josh Allen.
Doesn’t matter what you think about who should have won. Josh Allen won it and had a hell of a season.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 7, 2025

MVP JOSH ALLEN #YouAlreadyShnow #LT1 GO BILLS !!!!!!!! @BuffaloBills @NFL

— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) February 7, 2025

josh allen is your 2024 NFL MVP pic.twitter.com/jlgIh89pcv

— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) February 7, 2025

REMEMBER WHO WE HAVE

JOSH “MVP” ALLEN 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/89MtM6LouE

— Pierre Kingpin (@Pierre_Kingpin) February 7, 2025

CONGRATS TO JOSH ALLEN FOR WINNING MVP … as I’ve been saying he should for 6 weeks. Lamar had an all-time great year. But the Ravens had 9 Pro Bowlers. Other than Josh, the Bills had one. Case closed.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 7, 2025

The voters got it right.

Lamar Jackson was certainly deserving but no one was more valuable to their team this year than #Bills QB Josh Allen.#NFL #NFLHonors #MVP #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/byCFErSFry

— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) February 7, 2025

Josh Allen this season

🏆 37 Big Time Throws (T-1st)

🏆 7.1% BTT rate (1st)

2024 Most Valuable Player pic.twitter.com/A1R1vQHJVC

— PFF (@PFF) February 7, 2025

To think about all the crap Josh Allen took when he came out to see him win the MVP is pretty amazing. He was shredded in the draft process. Now look.

— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) February 7, 2025

Oh hell yeah!!!

First player in NFL history to win MVP and most overrated in same season.

My guy, Josh Allen #BillsMafia https://t.co/9xcFoZ0nCJ

— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) February 7, 2025

Allen finished the regular season by completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns compared to a career-low six interceptions. He also remained a threat on the ground, rushing for 531 yards and 12 scores.

Josh Allen is playing on another level right now🎯

MVP

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/vp0HaHYEmu

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 8, 2024

The 28-year-old earned the third Pro Bowl nod of his career and led the NFL with a 77.3 QBR.

Allen also helped Buffalo clinch its fifth consecutive AFC East crown, ending the regular season with a 13-4 record before advancing to the AFC Championship Game.

He continued to excel in the playoffs, throwing for 636 yards and four touchdowns without getting picked off in three postseason starts.

JOSH ALLEN WITH HIS SECOND TD OF THE DAY 🔥

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/YB7dpC2Wrw

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 20, 2025

His success was impressive considering the Bills' lack of a top wide receiver, as Khalil Shakir was the only player on the team to average over 50 receiving yards per game. Shakir was also Buffalo's only receiving option to reach 50 catches during the regular season.

Allen put together another efficient season in the pocket without a supporting cast as strong as past years, resulting in the first MVP victory of his career.

Joe Milton reportedly drew interest in his limited action this season.

According to the Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard (h/t NESN's Adam London), "some league executives" believe the 24-year-old could be worth a third-round draft pick in a potential trade. Bedard also noted the Patriots "will likely consider" trading the quarterback.

"I thought the Patriots would hold off on entertaining a trade of Joe Milton, who was drafted in the sixth round (193rd overall) last year, for at least another season, but there's increasing belief around the NFL that the Patriots are at least contemplating a trade of Milton this offseason," he wrote. "Again, I'm not saying he's on the block right now, but the Patriots will likely consider it when everything settles with the front office and coaching staff."

Milton, who spent three seasons at Michigan and three seasons at Tennessee, didn't get much attention coming out of college. In his final year with the Vols in 2023, he had 2,813 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, adding 299 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground.

New England took him in the sixth round after picking Drake Maye with the No. 3 selection. Milton had just one chance to display his skills during his rookie season, and he made the most of it.

In the Patriots' season finale against the Buffalo Bills, Milton completed 22 of his 29 pass attempts for 241 yards and picked up two total touchdowns.

Joe Milton is balling in his debut! 48-yard TD pass to Boutte!

📺: #BUFvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/u2W48Voqvr

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

He posted those outstanding numbers against a Bills team that had little to play for, having already secured its playoff position, but the potential was on full display.

Even though he shined in his sole appearance, Milton won't be starting in New England any time soon after Maye's strong rookie year. The North Carolina product threw for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns in 13 games, proving he's capable of being the Patriots' starter for years to come.

With Maye fully established as the starter, it could be worth shopping Milton around ahead of the draft. Even if he's not starting quarterback material, a handful of teams would likely be willing to give up at least a third-round pick to ensure they have a solid backup.

The Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly among the teams eyeing veteran quarterbacks as potential backup options in free agency.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, "There could be a little bit of interest in Marcus Mariota between the Raiders and Dolphins. He's gonna have some choices this offseason."

"There could be a little bit of interest in Marcus Mariota between the Raiders and Dolphins..

He's gonna have some choices this offseason"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/H1vRP3IPuE

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 3, 2025

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald also named veteran signal-caller Andy Dalton as "another impending free agent who is held in high regard by the Dolphins."

Schefter noted that Mariota has a connection to the Raiders, as new head coach Pete Carroll recently named Chip Kelly as his offensive coordinator, and Kelly coached Mariota for two years at Oregon. However, he added that the Dolphins likely have an advantage because of Mariota's relationship with starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

"I'll tell you where else Marcus Mariota is going to be an option, with Tua, his good friend Tua. He'll be an option there... He's going to have some interesting options this offseason," Schefter said.

Mariota spent the 2024 season as the backup quarterback for the Washington Commanders, appearing in three games and throwing for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions while also adding a rushing touchdown.

If the Dolphins fall short in their pursuit of Mariota, they would surely welcome the opportunity to add Dalton. Jackson noted that Miami has been interested in him for quite some time, as the team "explored trading for him after Tagovailoa's concussion in September but nothing materialized."

Dalton has been the backup quarterback for the Carolina Panthers for the past two seasons. He appeared in six games with five starts in 2024, throwing for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions. The Panthers were 1-4 in games he started.

This year's free-agent class of quarterbacks features a crop of intriguing players such as Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson, so teams like the Dolphins and Raiders will have a slew of options on the open market.

After winning the 60-meter final at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Sunday, Noah Lyles had a message for Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill.

Lyles celebrated his victory by pulling out a note that said, "Tyreek could never," and holding it over his face:

Noah Lyles wins his FOURTH straight 60m final at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix…plus a little message. 👀

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/QYjkEtqksx

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 2, 2025

Both Lyles and Hill had challenged each other to a race following Lyles' success at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lyles reiterated his desire to get a date set for their marquee one-on-one matchup.

"When you're ready to actually put some words down and you're actually ready to race, see me," Lyles said of Hill, per Nick Zaccardi of NBC Sports. "I'm right here. I ain't going nowhere. But all I know is, your football season's over. You ain't got no excuse now."

Noah Lyles didn’t hold back after his 60m win in Boston. 😤 pic.twitter.com/BcLDPSxcb2

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 2, 2025

Hill later posted a response to Lyles, laughing off his call-out without indicating if he's interested in a race or not:

Get a load of this guy 😂 https://t.co/alv1g5z6aK

— Ty Hill (@cheetah) February 3, 2025

Per Zaccardi, Hill competed in his first track meet in nine years at the 2023 USA Track and Field Masters Indoor Championships and ran a 6.70 in the 60m. Lyles' personal best is 6.43.

Hill and Lyles would surely draw a massive audience if they were to meet for a race, and the ball is now in Hill's court to answer Sunday's challenge.

Drake Maye will have a new coaching staff around him for Year 2 with the New England Patriots, and the rookie quarterback is "excited" to work with the experienced group.

Maye said he's already spoken with Mike Vrabel and had high praise for the new head coach.

"Yeah, he reached out to me and we got on the phone. He's been awesome," Maye said Friday night at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, via Sirius XM (h/t NFL.com's Christian Gonzales). "Obviously, a guy who's done it and played in the league and won a Super Bowl, you have a respect of what he's done and seeing what he's done. I think the biggest thing is he's been a head coach and he knows what it's like. So excited to get up to New England and get things going."

Joining Vrabel and Maye in New England is former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels. It's McDaniels' third stint with the Patriots, and Mate is well aware of his past success with the team.

"Coach McDaniels, obviously, what he's done there and the success he's had. Fortunate to be able to have a guy come in who's done it at a high level and learn from him coaching one of the best ever and the best ever, in my opinion, Tom (Brady)," Maye said. "Got a great chance to go back and all those years of film you have in a little database, it's all their play calls and all coach McDaniels' stuff and what he did with Tom. It's fortunate for me to go back and study it up and get ready for this next season."

The new coaching staff in New England will be equipped with a promising quarterback in Maye. The No. 3 overall pick is coming off a season that saw him collect 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for 421 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 13 games.

With Maye under center, Vrabel and McDaniels will look to get New England moving back in the right direction after struggles following the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady era.